Derbyshire dad takes on gruelling 50K running challenge for children's hospice

David with colleague Simon Bedford who accompanied him for a stretch of the challenge.

David Freeman jokingly suggested the epic challenge to mark the 50th anniversary of his employer Gist, little knowing what he was getting himself into.

Several months of training and a discarded running shoe on the big day later, David completed his ambitious challenge and raised almost £2,000 for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

David, who began casually running just 18-months ago by taking part in couch to 5k, went all the way from logistics firm Gist’s depo in Barnsley to the company’s site in Staveley.

David, from Cresswell, said: “It all started with a silly comment I made to a colleague last year.

“I just said it as a joke to be honest, but once I’d said it there was no getting out of it.

"When I was about 40k into the run, I certainly questioned my wisdom.”

The dedicated fundraiser started marathon training 14 weeks ahead of his February 1 challenge, which was the same day Gist Barnsley celebrated its 50th birthday.

His previous best was 24 miles, so he knew the big day was going to take every ounce of energy he had.

He said: “The air pocket on one of my trainers popped at around the 30K mark, so I had to borrow a shoe from my colleague who did the first stretch with me.

“So I ran the last 20k in odd shoes. I had my right shoe on and his left, which was actually a bit too big for me.

“During the last 10K I must admit I went to some dark places, but I made it in the end.”

David’s colleagues at Gist, where he’s worked for the past 25 years, were suitably impressed by his exhausting achievement.

David added: “I’ve been called mad and a few questioned why I was doing it, but their support has been absolutely fantastic and I’d like to thank everyone who has sponsored and got behind me.

“Bluebell Wood is such a fantastic cause and we’re all delighted to be supporting the charity for this milestone anniversary.”

David has no plans to hang up his running shoes, with tentative plans to take on a 130-mile coast to coast challenge next year.